Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Candida Defense Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Absorb Health

Candida Defense label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Candida Defense against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Candida Defense is a dietary supplement by Absorb Health with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for common cold, flu and respiratory infections, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 1,333 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Oregon Grape, Echinacea, Oregano. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Candida Defense by Absorb Health

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Candida Defense by Absorb Health — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Candida Defense by Absorb Health

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Candida Defense contains five active ingredients: echinacea, Oregon grape, pau d'arco, olive, and oregano. The product also includes inactive ingredients (gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, and silica) that serve as capsule material and flow agents.

Each of these plant extracts has been traditionally used in herbal medicine, though the strength of evidence for their effects varies considerably. The formulation is designed as a supplement rather than a medicine, and it's meant to be taken as directed on the label.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Candida and yeast infection support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Vaginal candidiasis, Intestinal parasite infection, Atopic dermatitis (eczema), Psoriasis, Dyspepsia, Oral candidiasis — and 3 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Oregon Grape is rated "Possibly Effective" for Psoriasis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Olive is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dyspepsia.
  • Also on file: Oregon Grape is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Atopic dermatitis (eczema).

The evidence for what these ingredients actually do is limited. For echinacea, our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for anxiety, athletic performance, ADHD, burns, chronic fatigue, and migraine.

Oregon grape is possibly effective for psoriasis but shows insufficient evidence for eczema, GERD, and peptic ulcers. Pau d'arco, olive, and oregano all lack established evidence in our data for their marketed uses — whether for cancer, wound healing, osteoporosis, respiratory infections, or acne.

Because this product combines multiple herbs without published clinical trials on the combination itself, we don't have data on how well Candida Defense works as a complete formulation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Echinacea Oregon Grape Pau D'arco Olive Oregano

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Echinacea is generally well tolerated short-term, though it can cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, rashes, and heartburn in some people. Rarely, severe allergic reactions and liver inflammation (hepatitis) have been reported — particularly in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants.

Oregon grape's safety with oral use is less established than topical use, and it is likely unsafe in pregnancy and breastfeeding because berberine may pass to a nursing infant. Pau d'arco should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data, and at doses above 1.5 grams daily it may cause anemia, bleeding risk, and severe nausea and vomiting.

Olive as food or oil is very safe, but concentrated supplements are less studied. Oregano is safe in food amounts but medicinal supplements should be avoided during pregnancy, and its safety while breastfeeding is not established.

Some people may experience headache or stomach discomfort with olive, and allergies to oregano (though rare) can include anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Echinacea Oregon Grape Pau D'arco Olive Oregano

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 4 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Oregon Grape, Oregano, Pau D'arco, Echinacea.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,334 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking Candida Defense, double-check these medication types with your pharmacist: blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate concern across three ingredients), antidiabetes medications (Moderate across three ingredients), blood pressure medications (Moderate), medications processed by CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, or CYP3A4 enzymes in your liver (Moderate), and immunosuppressants or sedatives like midazolam (Moderate for immunosuppressants, Minor for sedatives). Additionally, avoid caffeine supplements while taking this product, as echinacea may raise caffeine levels significantly.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take prescription medications — especially blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, antidiabetes medications, or anything metabolized through your liver — check each of your medications against this product before starting. Oregon grape and pau d'arco should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Because most of these herbs lack strong evidence for their claimed effects and some carry real interaction risks, talk with your pharmacist about whether this product makes sense for your situation.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 5 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 24, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Candida Defense, straight from the product label.

Brand Absorb Health
Barcode (UPC) 790566991378
Net contents 90 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 24, 2020
DSLD ID 215764
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Candida Defense by Absorb Health, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
790566991378
IngredientAmount% DV
Echinacea150 mg--
Oregon Grape175 mg--
Pau d' Arco150 mg--
Olive225 mg--
Oregano200 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Storage

Store at room temperature with lid tightly closed.

Formulation

450 mg

General Statements

Shop at www.absorbyourhealth.com for all your mind, body, and spirit needs.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Candida Defense by Absorb Health label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Candida Defense label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Candida Defense by Absorb Health

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Echinacea

Interacts with
816 drugs
150 mg per serving

Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at bes...

Echinacea monograph & interactions

Oregon Grape

Interacts with
1,218 drugs
175 mg per serving

Oregon grape is a shrub whose root contains berberine and related compounds. The strongest (though still modest) evidence is for topical creams that m...

Oregon Grape monograph & interactions

Pau d' Arco

Interacts with
122 drugs
150 mg per serving

Pau d'arco is a South American tree bark traditionally used for infections and inflammation, and it contains compounds like lapachol that show activit...

Pau d' Arco monograph & interactions

Olive

No known
interactions
225 mg per serving

Olive comes from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil, and its leaf and fruit contain antioxidant compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyr...

Olive monograph & interactions

Oregano

Interacts with
208 drugs
200 mg per serving

Oregano is a common Mediterranean cooking herb that is also sold as a concentrated oil or supplement, often standardized for a compound called carvacr...

Oregano monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Candida Defense by Absorb Health Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Candida Defense?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
1,333Drugs
1,332 Moderate 1 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Oregon Grape 1,218
Echinacea 816
Oregano 208
Pau d' Arco 122

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Candida Defense interact with 1,333 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

4 of the 5 ingredients in Candida Defense interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Oregon Grape Echinacea Oregano Pau d' Arco

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Candida Defense with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Oregon Grape9 drug types · 1,218 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and in vivo research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Clinical research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can lower blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can have hypotensive effects. Also, an analysis of clinical evidence suggests that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine (Norvasc) can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with taking amlodipine alone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Animal research suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can have sedative effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase the effects and adverse effects of cyclosporine.
Berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can reduce metabolism of cyclosporine and increase serum levels. It might inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes cyclosporine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can inhibit cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9).

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6).

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that berberine, a constituent of Oregon grape, moderately inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, Oregon grape might increase serum levels of drugs that are P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.
In vitro research suggests that Oregon grape extracts inhibit P-gp efflux.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Oregon Grape full monograph & interactions

Echinacea12 drug types · 816 drugs

Caffeine

Echinacea can increase plasma levels of caffeine by inhibiting its metabolism.
Echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine by around 30%. This is likely due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) by echinacea.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Echinacea appears to inhibit CYP1A2 enzymes in humans. Additionally, echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine, a CYP1A2 substrate, by around 30%. Theoretically, echinacea might increase levels of other drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. This may increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Several clinical trials have shown that taking echinacea for up to one month does not significantly affect the metabolism of various CYP3A4 substrates, including midazolam, docetaxel, etravirine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and darunavir-ritonavir. However, other clinical research shows that echinacea may increase the clearance of midazolam, suggesting that echinacea might induce CYP3A4. The discrepancy is thought to be due to differing effects of echinacea on intestinal versus hepatic CYP3A4 enzymes. Echinacea appears to induce hepatic CYP3A4 but inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. In some cases, these effects might cancel each other out, but in others, drug levels may be increased or decreased depending on the level of effect at hepatic and intestinal sites. The effect of echinacea on CYP3A4 activity may differ depending on the CYP3A4 substrate.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Etoposide (Vepesid)

Echinacea may increase levels of etoposide.
In one report, concomitant use of etoposide and echinacea was associated with more severe thrombocytopenia than the use of etoposide alone, suggesting inhibition of etoposide metabolism. Etoposide is a cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrate. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but some studies have reported inhibition of the enzyme.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Darunavir (Prezista)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of darunavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Darunavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but administration of an E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg four times daily for 14 days did not affect darunavir/ritonavir pharmacokinetics in 15 HIV-infected patients.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Dayquil Severe

Echinacea is reported to have varying effects on a number of Cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes in the liver, including CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, which play a role in acetaminophen and dextromethorphan metabolism (both contained in DayQuil Severe), respectively. Studies have reported both enzyme inhibition and induction, making it difficult to predict clinically significant drug interactions with reliability. Specific drug interaction studies reporting definitive results are rare, and potential drug interactions involving echinacea should likely be taken on a case-by-case basis. Based on what we know about how acetaminophen and dextromethorphan are metabolized, the risk of a clinically significant interaction between echinacea and DayQuil Severe is low.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence A
Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of docetaxel; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Docetaxel is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea whole plant extract (Echinaforce, A. Vogel Biopharma AG) 20 drops three times daily for 2 weeks did not alter the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in one clinical study.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Etravirine (Intelence)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of etravirine; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Etravirine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of etravirine in HIV-infected patients.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of lopinavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Lopinavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea (Echinamide, Natural Factors Nutritional Products, Inc.) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir/ritonavir in healthy volunteers.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Midazolam (Versed)

Theoretically, echinacea may increase the metabolism of intravenous midazolam.
Echinacea induces hepatic CYP3A4 and might decrease plasma levels of midazolam by about 20%, reducing the effectiveness of intravenous midazolam. Echinacea also appears to inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, which could theoretically increase the bioavailability of oral midazolam. This may cancel out the decrease in availability caused by induction of hepatic CYP3A4, such that overall plasma levels after oral administration of midazolam are not affected by echinacea.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Echinacea seems to increase the clearance of warfarin, although the effect may not be clinically significant.
Preliminary clinical research in healthy male volunteers suggests that taking echinacea increases the clearance of the active S-isomer of warfarin after a single dose of warfarin, but there was not a clinically significant effect on the INR.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Echinacea full monograph & interactions

Oregano2 drug types · 208 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, oregano might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that aristolochic acid isolated from oregano leaves has antithrombin activity. It has also been reported that oregano oil inhibits arachidonic acid-induced, and ADP-induced, platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, oregano might increase the risk for hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
In vitro and animal research shows that oregano extracts might lower blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Oregano full monograph & interactions

Pau d' Arco1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, pau d'arco might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that pau d'arco reduces platelet aggregation and may interfere with vitamin K. One clinical study shows that taking the lapachol constituent of pau d'arco in doses above 1.5 grams daily increases the risk of bleeding. The effects of whole pau d'arco or pau d'arco extract in humans are unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pau d' Arco full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Candida Defense, from the product label.

Absorb Health

See all Absorb Health products
Name
Absorb Health
Street Address
4705 Southport-Supply Rd., #202
City
Southport
State
NC
ZipCode
28461
Web Address
www.absorbyourhealth.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Candida Defense by Absorb Health: Common Questions

Does Candida Defense by Absorb Health interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Candida Defense has a known interaction with 1,333 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Candida Defense contains 5 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Candida Defense if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Oregon grape is likely unsafe in both pregnancy and breastfeeding, and pau d'arco should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding because safety data is too limited. Echinacea is rated possibly safe in pregnancy but we don't have lactation data for it. Oregano is possibly unsafe in pregnancy and we don't have breastfeeding data. The safest approach is to talk with your doctor before using this product during pregnancy or while nursing.
What are the most common side effects of this supplement?
With echinacea, you might experience stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, rashes, or heartburn. Olive may cause headache or stomach discomfort. Oregano is well tolerated at food amounts but can cause gastrointestinal upset at supplement doses. Serious side effects are rare but include allergic reactions — especially in people sensitive to ragweed or plants in the mint family.
Does this product actually work for candida or yeast infections?
Our data doesn't include effectiveness ratings for candida or yeast overgrowth for any of these ingredients. The evidence for echinacea, Oregon grape, pau d'arco, olive, and oregano for this purpose isn't established in the research we hold.
Is it safe to take this with my blood thinner medication?
No — not without talking to your pharmacist first. Three ingredients in this product (echinacea, pau d'arco, and oregano) can theoretically increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs. Always check your exact medication against this product before starting.
Can I take this with caffeine or coffee?
Echinacea in this product may increase caffeine levels by around 30%, which could amplify jitteriness, heart palpitations, or sleep disruption. If you take caffeine supplements or drink a lot of coffee, mention this product to your pharmacist.
What is Oregon grape used for in this formula?
Oregon grape contains berberine and is rated possibly effective for psoriasis. For other skin conditions and digestive issues, the evidence is insufficient. However, because berberine can interact with many medications and is not safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk with your pharmacist before use.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Candida Defense label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Candida Defense’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Echinacea

Interacts with 816 drugs

Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at best. It is generally well tolerated for sh...

Read the full Echinacea monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Oregon Grape

Interacts with 1,218 drugs

Oregon grape is a shrub whose root contains berberine and related compounds. The strongest (though still modest) evidence is for topical creams that may slightly ease psoriasis; evidence for...

Read the full Oregon Grape monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Pau D'arco

Interacts with 122 drugs

Pau d'arco is a South American tree bark traditionally used for infections and inflammation, and it contains compounds like lapachol that show activity in lab studies. However, strong human...

Read the full Pau D'arco monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Olive

Olive comes from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil, and its leaf and fruit contain antioxidant compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Olive oil as part of a Mediterrane...

Read the full Olive monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Oregano

Interacts with 208 drugs

Oregano is a common Mediterranean cooking herb that is also sold as a concentrated oil or supplement, often standardized for a compound called carvacrol. While lab studies suggest it may hav...

Read the full Oregano monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Candida Defense's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 92 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Echinacea 51 references
  1. Mullins RJ. Echinacea-associated anaphylaxis. Med J Aust 1998;168:170-1. PubMed
  2. Mullins RJ. Allergic reactions to Echinacea. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;104:S340-341 (Abstract 1003).
  3. Chavez ML, Chavez PI. Echinacea. Hosp Pharm 1998;33:180-8.
  4. Grimm W, Muller HH. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on the incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections. Am J Med 1999;106:138-43. PubMed
  5. Taylor JA, Weber W, Standish L, et al. Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003;290:2824-30.. PubMed
  6. Luettig B, Steinmuller C, Gifford GE, et al. Macrophage activation by the polysaccharide arabinogalactan isolated from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea. J Natl Cancer Inst 1989;81:669-75. PubMed
  7. Stimpel M, Proksch A, Wagner H, et al. Macrophage activation and induction of macrophage cytotoxicity by purified polysaccharide fractions from the plant Echinacea purpurea. Infect Immun 1984;46:845-9. PubMed
  8. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  9. Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W, et al. Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: A prospective controlled study. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:3141-3. PubMed
  10. Soon SL, Crawford RI. Recurrent erythema nodosum associated with echinacea herbal therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;44:298-9. PubMed
  11. Mullins RJ, Heddle R. Adverse reactions associated with echinacea: the Australian experience. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:42-51. PubMed
  12. Logan JL, Ahmed J. Critical hypokalemic renal tubular acidosis due to Sjogren's syndrome: association with the purported immune stimulant echinacea. Clin Rheumatol 2003;22:158-9.
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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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